Join us for our 2017-2018 Season…

The Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB) announces programming for its 48th season and welcomes back the Northwest Florida Ballet Symphony Orchestra led by renowned conductor and composer, David Ott.

The 2017-2018 season includes World Ballet Stars, a FREE outdoor performance of Giselle, the full-length production of The Nutcracker with live music by the NFB Symphony Orchestra, Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas and Peter Pan with live music by the NFB Symphony Orchestra. In addition, this season we have two different subscription packages to choose from.

Individual performance tickets are available by clicking on the “Buy Tickets Now” button. Season subscriptions are no longer available. To learn more about the NFB 2017-2018 season productions click on the individual event below!

WORLD BALLET STARS

September 30

World Ballet Stars

NFB opens the 2017-2018 season on Saturday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m. with World Ballet Stars featuring some of the world’s best classical ballet dancers performing both classical and contemporary works at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.

World Ballet Stars will feature international guest artists Joseph Gatti and Danielle Diniz; Cervilio Amador and Chisako Oga of Cincinnati Ballet; Arian Molina and Dayesi Torriente of Pennsylvania Ballet; Daniel Ulbricht of New York City Ballet; Brooklyn Mack and Ayano Kimura of Washington Ballet; Lasha Khozashvili and Seo Hye Han of Boston Ballet.

This is an amazing opportunity to see the world’s best classical ballet dancers representing five countries dancing works by master choreographers all in one action packed performance. After the production guests will have the chance to mix and mingle with these amazing artists during a VIP reception.* Box office prices for adults are $35 each and $15 for children 12 & under. World Ballet Stars is presented in part by VIP Destin Magazine.

*VIP Reception tickets are priced separately.

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GISELLE

October 14

Giselle

The Northwest Florida Ballet takes the stage at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin to perform Giselle, one of the oldest continually performed ballets dating back to Paris in 1841. Giselle is a free, outdoor performance presented as part of Grand Boulevard’s Coastal Culture series, made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program.

Staged by NFB Ballet Mistress Dorothy Daniels Lister with choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, Giselle tells the story of a peasant girl who dies of a broken heart after discovering Albrecht, her lover, is betrothed to another. The Wilis, a group of supernatural women who dance men to death, summon Giselle from her grave. They target her lover for death, but Giselle’s great love frees him from their grasp. Led by Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis, they gain their power in numbers as they effortlessly move through dramatic patterns and synchronized movements controlling the stage with their long tulle dresses and stoic expressions. Giselle finds forgiveness in her heart for Albrecht, but she knows the Wilis will not do the same.

Natalia Ashikhmina, current principal with the Louisville Ballet and former Russian National Ballet prima ballerina, will dance the role of Giselle. Albrecht will be danced by Darren McIntyre formerly with The Australian Ballet.

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THE NUTCRACKER

November 17-19live music by NFBSymphony Orchestra

The Nutcracker

Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice,” NFB produces the only full-length production with professional dancers of the classic holiday ballet in the area. The Nutcracker performances will be held at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 19 at 2:30 p.m.

In its 38th year, The Nutcracker is set in a small German town in 1835 to the music of Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky with choreography by celebrated Artistic Director Todd Eric Allen. All public performances will feature live music performed by the Northwest Florida Ballet Symphony Orchestra led by David Ott.

Performances of The Nutcracker will feature the international ballet stars Joseph Michael Gatti and Andrea Harvey in the principal roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince. Several other international guest artists, the NFB Company and over 100 local children round out the cast. Box office prices for adults are $38 each and $18 for children 12 & under. The 2017-2018 production of The Nutcracker is presented by VIE Magazine.

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LIGHTWIRE THEATER:A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS

December 22 & 23

Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas

NFB is proud to present Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas on Friday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 23 at 2:30 p.m. at Destin United Methodist Church’s Life Center. Lightwire Theater, a former finalist on America’s Got Talent, will thrill audiences of all ages with this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope set to timeless holiday hits including Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey and Tchaikovsky.

In this wonderful story, Santa’s helpers are putting the final touches on presents as a young bird named Max and his family head south for the winter. When Max gets blown off course during a snowstorm, he ends up alone and lost at the North Pole. As he tries to make his way home, his adventure begins when he encounters friendly caroling worms, dancing poinsettias, Nutcracker soldiers, mischievous mice and more.

Lightwire Theater rose to national prominence on the hit show America’s Got Talent, and brings to life a truly a unique, innovative and visually dazzling theatrical experience. Utilizing the talents of four cast members, they strap on costumes fitted with electroluminescent lights, turning their entire bodies into life sized puppets to bring the cast of creatures and scenery to life through movement and dance. Box office priced tickets for Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas are $35 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.

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PETER PAN

March 3 & 4live music by NFBSymphony Orchestra

Peter Pan

As NFB’s final main stage production of the 2017-2018 season, Peter Pan features world premiere choreography by international guest artist Katia Garza and an original composition by NFB Music Director David Ott played live by the NFB Symphony Orchestra. Peter Pan will be presented on Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 4 at 2:30 p.m. on the main stage of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.

Complete with magical sets and mesmerizing costumes, join NFB’s cast of international guest artists and company members, and let your imagination take flight on a spectacular journey to Neverland. Peter Pan, the mischievous boy who never wants to grow up, takes Wendy and her two brothers on a fantastic adventure along with the sassy fairy Tinker Bell and the frightful Captain Hook. Box office prices for adults are $38 each and $18 for children 12 & under. Peter Pan is presented by Emerald Coast Magazine and Silver Sands Premium Outlets.

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The Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB) 2016-2017 season performances will be held at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College. For additional information on accessibility accommodations, please visit the Mattie Kelly Arts Center’s Patrons with Special Needs webpage.